Other Ontario schools

Queen's is committed to sustainability through a formal policy, and the sustainability office, in conjunction with the sustainability advisory committee, is developing a strategic sustainability framework and a climate action plan. Queen's green procurement policy includes environmental sustainability and fair trade as core values and encourages the purchase of Energy Star appliances.

Queen's is a signatory of the University and College Presidents' Climate Change Statement of Action for Canada. The university utilizes many energy efficiency technologies, including energy management systems, installed in 70 percent of buildings, that allow for real-time monitoring of energy use. Queen's has also installed a 20-kilowatt photovoltaic array and a passive solar hot water system.

The university spends 54 percent of its annual food budget on local items. Dining services serves fair trade coffee in all locations and offers a discount for the use of a reusable mug. The university provides two vegan meals daily and donates excess food to local shelters and food banks. Pre- and postconsumer food scraps are composted, and 11 vermicomposting bins are available for use in residence halls.

The university has installed a living roof and uses restricted-flow roof drains to reduce stormwater runoff. Two buildings at Queen's have attained LEED Certified status. Seventy-five percent of construction waste is diverted from landfills, and the university has installed low-flow faucets and showerheads in campus buildings. A green cleaning program is in place for three academic buildings and all residence halls.

The Science '44 Co-op, Queen's green residential community, houses 172 residents. Each year, residence halls participate in the Residence Energy Challenge, which resulted in about a 5 percent reduction in energy use last year. There are approximately 15 student-run organizations related to sustainability at the university.

Queen's provides significantly reduced rate bus passes to all undergraduates, and 99 percent of students commute via environmentally preferable methods. Discounted parking permits and reserved parking spaces are offered to faculty, staff, and students who participate in a carpool program. The campus plan includes provisions for pedestrian- and bike-friendly campus transportation routes.

The university uses investment managers who consider environmental and sustainability factors. The university aims to optimize investment returns and does not invest in renewable energy funds or community development loan funds.

The university provides its investment managers with general guidelines to determine proxy votes. The new Statement on Responsible Investing has created infrastructure to address investment concerns raised by stakeholder groups within the university community.